Manor Royal and County Oak constitute one of the largest employment areas in this part of the South East. The area has changed over the years as older premises have been replaced by modern business premises meeting a range of different economic and employment needs. Manor Royal and County Oak, the Town Centre and Gatwick are the three main areas within the town that are critical to the town's current economic buoyancy. The continued success of these areas is a key factor in ensuring the growth of a diverse economy, in line with the Community and Economic Strategies.

The Council will look to work with employers, their representatives and other agencies with a view to maximising the potential of the area and securing an environment in which business can continue to prosper and grow.

The key objectives and principles for Manor Royal and County Oak are:

Redevelopment and Intensification

The Core Strategy seeks to retain all employment land, particularly within the main employment areas (including Manor Royal and County Oak) to ensure sufficient floorspace exists to maintain a diverse and strong economy. The appropriate redevelopment and intensification of sites within the main employment areas is encouraged as an opportunity to provide diverse, complementary, modern, high quality and high tech additional floorspace, provided other policy criteria are met. Potential redevelopment and intensification would also provide an opportunity to deliver environmental improvements and improvements to methods of sustainable transport.

As Manor Royal and County Oak change and develop there may be opportunities to improve the quality of the environment and the range of facilities that support the core employment uses. These would help to strengthen the role of the area as a sustainable and attractive employment location. Such improvements and facilities will be supported.